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Home My WebLink About1999-03-15 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees - o• Minutes of Meeting - March 15, 1999 Present: Ms. Maria Silvaggi, chair; Mr. Stephen Conner; Ms. Cherne Dubois; Ms. Donna InDelicato; Mr. Richard Ogden; Dr. Christine Redford. Ms. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Minutes: The minutes of February 8 were accepted. Report of the Technical Services division: New materials: Michael Colford reported that as the materials budget increases, the workload for Technical Services increases. Including donations, there was a nine percent increase in the number of new materials added so far in FY99 over FY98; a twenty-one percent increase over the same period in FY97, and a 10 percent increase over the same period in FY96. A very high priority is placed on bestseller titles: they are ordered unprocessed from the vendor and are given a quick turnaround in- house. Unprocessed books are received from the vendor in less than twenty-four hours, as opposed to over a week for processed books. Interlibrary loan: The division is having more contact with patrons on interlibrary loan business to keep them informed about the status of their request. Recent requests include children's videos in a foreign language, and doctoral theses. One of the library networks has serious delivery problems, which makes borrowing from them difficult. Almost two-thirds of the interlibrary loan work done by the regional ILL center is for the Reading Public Library. Materials bid: There have been problems with the statewide cooperative bid for materials: a few small vendors have proved unacceptable, and a major vendor has also been difficult to work with. We have worked with the bid committee to change the criteria and it looks promising for next year. Web page: Mr. Colford does most of the maintenance of the Library's Web page. He has recently implemented a redesign, and has trained others so that they can add their own items to the Web page. Volunteers:. The departure of a hardworking volunteer couple in December made Mr. Colford realize how dependent the division is on volunteers. The division now has six volunteers, and much of his time is spent organizing their work. They do processing, mending, unpacking and receiving, photocopying, and projects that wouldn't otherwise get done. Since some of the volunteers are seasonal due to the tax abatement program for senior citizens, it was suggested that Lois Bond be contacted to see if that program could be altered. The Director said that having basic functions done by volunteers is not a long-term solution. Personnel: New desks were purchased last summer to improve the workspace in Tech Services. Interlibrary loan and inputting work have been shifted downward, allowing Mr. Colford time to work on the Web page. The pay and class study looked at the technician and senior technician positions carefully. Mr. Colford wrote a very good proposal that justified their reclassification. Mr. Colford received his MIS last year; he has worked for the library for almost twenty-one years. The Board expressed its appreciation for his work. office supplies are overdrawn. Five thousand dollars was received today Financial report: O a rint area. It will be named after Joan Nigro. from the Nigro family for the large p the Statistical report: There was a big dip in circulation in January, , qu with n s planar oncost the other hand, attendance was up by three thousand, and reference Statistics on in hous board library use has leveled off, as it does in good ecoin he monthly reports. Thee use of resources, such as the Internet, have not been included Assistant Director announced that the Library is starting to keep track of use of electronic resources. for Report from the Chairman: A Budget Council meeting i in hedo l of putting b18. gt a March 12 meet then ontroldof hesBoa d ofiSespke lectmen. maintenance back under The Library's budget was reviewed by FinComm on March 1. The Board needs to change the added to perception that library services should be self-funded. the n thousand dollars, donated by Mr. Heber Wells who died lasst91 week, nas be pledges of an Te Foundation, bringing it On Aprto a il 9 quarter the Board and the Foundation will honor the Nigro family. additional $156,000.) O p T sei for Diversity training will be held for public officials Ms. Hanleyllobb ed Senatoroyees At a recent legislative breakfast for library issues, increased state aid to the Town. egi to aton tend the The Director's report: Ms. Hanley requested funds for three $ staff members American Library Association conference, for a total o plus r fees. rd a roved the expenditure. Town Meeting will address FY99 transfers on April 12; and Boa pp the FY00 budget on April 15. Friends report: None. Liaison reports: None. Unfinished business: 1) The Director said that the To isfacpto y. This p is thand e onlys classification new plan is good, but the plan for implementation is less sat ry program included in FinComm's budget. 2 Mr. Ogden gave an update from the planning comimmunitlt and developed ta community completed a Weaknesses-Opportunites-Threats analysis of the co y plans vision at its last meeting. A SWOT analysis of the Library next. of reshdents1wi11 prov de an go before the Board of Selectmen to present their work. A survey idea where they think a SOT analys s ofdthe be headed. library (appended). 3) The e Trustees did The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. ,___V I Diane J. Yo or Assistant Director Trustees S.W.O.T. Analysis of Library Strengths ■ Community Outreach ■ Staff- Professionalism, energy, vision, creativity ■ Reading room ■ Willingness to try new things ■ Children's Room / Services ■ Adult Classes / Services ■ Computer Access ■ Customer Service ■ Friends ■ Trustees ■ Foundation ■ Volunteers ■ Hours ■ Reputation ■ Collection - diversity / content & format ■ Facility ■ Non Print Materials ■ Location Parking ■ Friendliness ■ Interlibrary Loan ■ Summer Reading Programs ■ Programs ■ Meeting Rooms ■ Strive for Perfection ■ Trying to Meet Needs of Community ■ Independence ■ Relations with Schools ■ Donations Weaknesses ■ Parking ■ Nonprint materials ■ Money ■ Hours ■ Age of building ■ Shortage of computers ■ Lack of computer lab ■ Location ■ Perception that library not budget priority ■ Relation with schools-libs ■ Underpaid staff ■ Keep up with salary levels ■ Foundation / amt. of trust funds Opportunities ■ Building ■ Vision of Staff ■ Staff Creativity ■ Energy ■ Programs ■ Well trained staff ■ Parking Lot ■ Public Perception ■ Foundation / Friends ■ Volunteers ■ Children's Programs ■ Relation with Schools ■ Enrollment Increases / demographic ■ Technology ■ Leadership role instate / clout ■ Professional respect ■ High level of customer service ■ Donations ■ Cafe ■ State Mandates Threats ■ Budget Funding ■ No cafe ■ Foundation ■ Technology ■ Demographics ■ Building ■ Location ■ Underpaid Staff ■ Staffing level • Staff Burnout ■ Dependence on Volunteers ■ State Mandates • Town Org. / Structure